Overview
- Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map, which added a second majority-Black district, was ruled an unconstitutional racial gerrymander in a 6-3 Supreme Court decision Wednesday.
- Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion, saying Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act did not require a second majority-Black seat and that challengers must show race drove the lines, a tougher test going forward.
- The case now returns to the lower court, and the 2024 district won by Democrat Cleo Fields could disappear if Louisiana reverts to its earlier 5–1 map favoring Republicans.
- Election calendars may curb how quickly new maps can take effect for 2026, leaving candidates and voters uncertain about which districts will be used this cycle.
- Liberal justices warned the ruling will let states dilute minority voting power, while voting-rights groups and state officials are already eyeing fresh map fights in places like Florida and Mississippi.